Flocked Coating on Sliding Rubber Seal

[smyluk]

Hello

I am looking for a second opinion on alternatives to a flocked coating on a rubber seal.

I have been speaking with a potential custom rubber seal manufacturer who advises that the best solution is a flocked coating to avoid friction and dragging. However, their minimum order quantity is 100 metres, which is significantly more than the length we need for our initial testing.

Whilst I agree this is probably the best solution, I was wondering what other options could be applied to EPDM rubber that would allow glass to slide over the top surface without friction.

 

[Compositepro]

What are you sealing? Flocking will prevent a bubble tight seal. Grease will work but can get messy. Talc powder can work similarly to flocking. It will wear away faster but can be easily applied.

 

[TugboatEng]

Can you use a grease or does the lubricant need to be dry?

 

[btrueblood]

Soap and water would be my suggestion. Or a propylene glycol and water solution - we use that for orings when customers want a silicone (our usualy oring lube) free product. Silicone spilled on a concrete floor is pretty slippery, but propylene glycol spills are slicker than snot.